[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by asianthree

We both worked in a perfume/cologne free employments. After 40 plus years in healthcare for both of us, employees, had to be fragrance free of any colognes, perfume, or lotion. Our patients coming to the OR were asked to be fragrance free.

Now that we are spending more time in TV, shopping, restaurants, we are both appalled at the amount of fragrances that older people basically douse themselves with fragrances. Yesterday while sitting in a restaurant a gentleman walked by, the smell so strong that it took a few minutes before we could continue our meal. Our poor waitress, said it’s ongoing issue, at busy times, she needs to wear a mask, just to get through the day.

So as one ages, is more amount of fragrance’s used, due to their ability of lessen smell ability, or because I love this fragrance, you should love it also. Or forget they already used a scent and add more. Waitress thought it was due to hygiene.

Have not noticed this issue at with large crowds at, Disney, hotels, restaurants and shops outside of the bubble.

Maybe some just don’t realize how their fragrances affect those around them. Thoughts?

Excellent point. My wife and I attend a local church where at times the scent can be overpowering! I suffer from severe asthma. Not all or even most scents fit this bill, but there are some that can and have triggered an asthma attack which is NOT fun. Mostly though they just clog my sinuses and give me a bad headache; not fun either but not life-threatening. The odd thing is that the scent(s) can have their effect a minute or so before their smell even registers! It has not been much of an issue in the summer but as fall approaches and the snowbirds come to TV the crowds at church will be increasing, and along with that the problem will get worse.

I will be contacting the pastor re this. My expectation is not that the church will ban fragrances, but a "fragrance free" section would not be too much to ask.

[Number 10 GI]

The sense of smell diminishes with age, I don't smell odors as well as when I was young. Some people definitely douse themselves with scents. My wife has advanced COPD and she has difficulty with breathing in department stores when she is near the cosmetics department or someone who has taken a bath in perfume. Certain fragrances cause me breathing problems and I have good lungs. I haven't used cologne or aftershave in years, but do use a scent free deodorant .

[Cybersprings]

Originally Posted by asianthree

We both worked in a perfume/cologne free employments. After 40 plus years in healthcare for both of us, employees, had to be fragrance free of any colognes, perfume, or lotion. Our patients coming to the OR were asked to be fragrance free.

Now that we are spending more time in TV, shopping, restaurants, we are both appalled at the amount of fragrances that older people basically douse themselves with fragrances. Yesterday while sitting in a restaurant a gentleman walked by, the smell so strong that it took a few minutes before we could continue our meal. Our poor waitress, said it’s ongoing issue, at busy times, she needs to wear a mask, just to get through the day.

So as one ages, is more amount of fragrance’s used, due to their ability of lessen smell ability, or because I love this fragrance, you should love it also. Or forget they already used a scent and add more. Waitress thought it was due to hygiene.

Have not noticed this issue at with large crowds at, Disney, hotels, restaurants and shops outside of the bubble.

Maybe some just don’t realize how their fragrances affect those around them. Thoughts?

I applaud you for your post. You explained what you have experienced and how it bothers you. You asked some questions for possible reasons. You disparaged no one. You asked for some thoughts.

Now many of the responses.... no comment.

I do have one thought to interject. I am not an asthmatic, but I do have dog allergies among many others and I do not like the smell of dogs. But heaven forbid (to some) you should state something like that or suggest you don't want to eat on the restaurant patio in the the villages with dogs on TOTV. You will get the same answer you are getting from many. Go somewhere else.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by asianthree

There are many who have health issues, especially fragrances that cause eyes to water, coughing and can trigger breathing issues.

I am not speaking of those who use fragrance correctly, it when a person sits 3 tables over, and all you can smell is their Cologne or perfume.
Waitress boxed up two tables, sitting next to his table, that couldn’t continue their meal. So maybe not a life threatening issue, but causing one to loose their appetite just makes your dining experience sad.

If my life choices causes impact to you, then I would make changes. Just like sitting next to a heavy smoker, when you don’t smoke.

I don’t worry about things I can’t change, but many things I can change so I don’t have to worry.

Hubby and I have moved to another seat in a movie theater, clear across the area where someone was wearing a very heavy application of perfume. I'm not allergic but find that I am not a happy camper when I have to be "assaulted" by someone's scent.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by JRcorvette

So others should bow to your wishes? Wear a mask when you go out!

Sorry but that is not a viable option.

[NotGolfer]

What is "amazing" are the folks criticizing the OP!! She has a very valid point. As I've gotten older scents do bother me. Hardly can stand the cleaning aisle in the store for that reason. I've been "triggered" by over-use of perfunes and even the laundry product scents from people's clothing!! Thank you OP for posting this!!!!

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

What is "amazing" are the folks criticizing the OP!! She has a very valid point. As I've gotten older scents do bother me. Hardly can stand the cleaning aisle in the store for that reason. I've been "triggered" by over-use of perfunes and even the laundry product scents from people's clothing!! Thank you OP for posting this!!!!

Very true

[Blackbird45]

I also worked in a business that sometime in the mid-eighties there was a movement to be fragrant free and everyone jumped on the band wagon. I still don't use any type of cologne, but if someone enters a room with a double dose, I get over it quickly.

[thevillagernie]

Just a dab behind the ear should be enough.....better then BO

[La lamy]

I'm in the camp of now being bothered by strong scents. I think it can go both ways as we get into our senior years: some lose their sense of smell and end up putting on WAY TOO MUCH scent to get a slight whiff of it themselves, and the other camp gets WAY TOO SENSITIVE to any chemical scent. I unfortunately get headaches from any unnatural scent now, so I sympathize with the OP. A good cleaning of armpits every morning is all I feel should be needed instead of crazy scented deodorants or cologne/perfume. Otherwise, it's easy enough for me to avoid you these days.

[dougawhite]

At concerts I can get overwhelmed by heavy doses of perfume; not a fan. I assume they are covering up something else like maybe they use medical Marijuana or similar.

[D&BSmith]

I am in the camp of not enjoying strong scents, never have. I have learned to live and let live, simply removing myself from the area.

[Marmaduke]

Originally Posted by asianthree

There are many who have health issues, especially fragrances that cause eyes to water, coughing and can trigger breathing issues.

I am not speaking of those who use fragrance correctly, it when a person sits 3 tables over, and all you can smell is their Cologne or perfume.
Waitress boxed up two tables, sitting next to his table, that couldn’t continue their meal. So maybe not a life threatening issue, but causing one to loose their appetite just makes your dining experience sad.

If my life choices causes impact to you, then I would make changes. Just like sitting next to a heavy smoker, when you don’t smoke.

I don’t worry about things I can’t change, but many things I can change so I don’t have to worry.

I agree with you, and I'm not allergic to anything, but I find the passing whiff of Obsession, Taylor, Jimmy Choo gagging.
It is horrible when you're attempting to enjoy and are paying for a nice meal only to be overcome with the strong odor of perfume and colone.

I absolutely love working out in my fitness center where there are signs posted that perfumes, lotions and powders are forbidden in the fitness center. Also posted in the ladies locker room.

Imagine dousing the Obsession on and going in to work out! There are also a bunch of lotions are popular for our dry skin, but they are full of perfumes that reek too. Buyer beware.

[nmgirardot]

And who thought scented deodorant was a good idea? The worst idea ever.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by asianthree

We both worked in a perfume/cologne free employments. After 40 plus years in healthcare for both of us, employees, had to be fragrance free of any colognes, perfume, or lotion. Our patients coming to the OR were asked to be fragrance free.

Now that we are spending more time in TV, shopping, restaurants, we are both appalled at the amount of fragrances that older people basically douse themselves with fragrances. Yesterday while sitting in a restaurant a gentleman walked by, the smell so strong that it took a few minutes before we could continue our meal. Our poor waitress, said it’s ongoing issue, at busy times, she needs to wear a mask, just to get through the day.

So as one ages, is more amount of fragrance’s used, due to their ability of lessen smell ability, or because I love this fragrance, you should love it also. Or forget they already used a scent and add more. Waitress thought it was due to hygiene.

Have not noticed this issue at with large crowds at, Disney, hotels, restaurants and shops outside of the bubble.

Maybe some just don’t realize how their fragrances affect those around them. Thoughts?

There is a perfume some people like—patchouli oil? Musk? I don’t know—that to me smells like mildew. I first noticed it years ago when I had a Goth student who I thought had a serious illness because she smelled like she was rotting. I later discovered that it was some perfume ingredient, and I’m part of a tiny percentage that smells it as bad instead of as pleasant. I was glad my student wasn’t dying. Lots of fragrances in laundry detergent, dryer sheets, etc, smell unpleasant. There is, however, a growing number of unscented versions of high-rated detergents. For example, the Consumer Reports top-rated detergent—a form of Tide liquid, is available in an unscented version, but only at Target. I use WalMart’s Great Values store brand dryer sheets in an unscented version. I’m very pleased. I used to have a friend who worked at the company in New Jersey that develops these smells. She told me about the process. She was a team head. Oddly, she said she can’t stand those smells.